LISTEN: The SQ Showcase – March ’14 Mix

The anticipation of the summer days ahead is often too much for many. So let’s just slow down a bit and remember the brooding darkness that is synonymous with winter. That’s how the March playlist kicks things off with a double opener from Fear Of Men’s debut album Loom. And we continue the haunting tones with psych-folk duo Lutine who weave harmonies so delicate, they would crack under the slightest pressure. Fans of Alela Diane need not look any further.

Despite the heavy bass and sharp electronics, Salt Ashes’ ‘Little Dove’ carries it own dreamy qualities swathed in Giorgio Moroder influences. Meanwhile, ‘Indian Rubber’ sees Kanzi refrain from the heavy use of electronics that was prevalent in their earlier tracks. But it’ll still transport you to distant worlds – a quality that should see them explode when they release an album.

The Art Club’s 80s influenced indie-pop is nostalgically hazy that’s indebted to C86 bands of the same era. ‘Sorry’ will leave you pining for something but you’re not entirely sure what.

From distant worlds to distant lands closer to home, Cosmo Sheldrake showcases his diverse skills as a multi-instrumentalist. Beyond the woozy Armenian Duduk and Asiatic strings are lyrics that reference nonsense poems just in case ‘The Moss’ wasn’t wistful enough for you. But 6-piece The Galleons show that western-folk can also have spellbinding qualities. ‘Rise’ may begin serenely but the peace is gently broken with foot-stomping aplomb.

Yet where The Galleons need six, Maybug is just one man and his guitar spewing fragile emotions over a delicate canvas that can barely support the weight of his words. This isn’t just a spontaneous musical endeavour with the hope that it might go somewhere. There’s a substance here that’ll leave a memorable mark. The Art Club however have a different approach to tender music. Their 80s influenced indie-pop is nostalgically hazy that’s indebted to C86 bands of the same era. ‘Sorry’ will leave you pining for something but you’re not entirely sure what.

‘Intravenous’ is slightly darker and more nightmarish than the last track of his we showcased emphasised by the sinister manner in which the lo-fi fuzz is employed.

Ryan Balch’s one-man project Hot Glass also comes with hazy aesthetics but with a shoegaze approach. His latest track ‘Intravenous’ is slightly darker and more nightmarish than the last track of his we showcased emphasised by the sinister manner in which the lo-fi fuzz is employed.

But don’t get too down because to finish off we have Fickle Friend sun-drenched ‘Swim’. There really is no surprise why this disco-flecked track has been infecting every blog and magazine. If this doesn’t get you in the mood for the vibrant summer days ahead, try again.